I’ve been in Haiti for almost a week now and I’m surprised by a few things, but two stand out.
- Familiar Things: like dogs barking, the laughter of children playing, the beauty of the moon and stars, the beautiful coloured flowers and the smell of a delicious meal being prepared.
- Foreign Things: the lack of rush and busyness, the amount of horn honking, the sincerity and amount of people (totally strangers) that greet us and the pure joy I see on people’s faces that by Canadian standards would be described as “poor and having nothing,” yet they look and act like they have everything.
I thought I was coming to Haiti for a cool experience but it’s so much more that an experience. God has chosen and allowed me to have a heart change. I find it hard to write what has happened to me on the inside through the things I’ve seen, heard, smelled and felt. It’s more than experiencing a different cultural, it’s better to describe it like God has given me a glimpse into how he sees me. Everything seems brighter, more beautiful and clearer.
I think it became clearer when I got to meet our sponsor child Augustine. Her beautiful smile melted my heart instantly as I looked at her perfect, sweet face and instant love was in my heart for her even though we had never met. She probably had no idea why tears were in my eyes as I looked at her and saw perfection. The joy that filled me I couldn’t explain, but later as I processed this precious encounter I realized this is how God, my Father looks and feels about me. I truly hope He will not let me forget this and that I will learn to view others the same way.
The familiar things in Haiti have been comforting but it’s the foreign things that have brought me the most joy and gratitude. God has used the foreign things to show me the magnitude of His love and care for His children and that includes everyone.
~ Michele
